Who Killed Blair Peach?

About Us

About the campaign

Defend the Right to Protest was launched in response to violent police tactics and arrests at the student protests of November and December 2010, with the support of activists, MPs, trade unionists, student groups and others. We campaign against police brutality, kettling and the use of violence against those who have a right to protest. We campaign to defend all those protestors who have been arrested, bailed or charged and are fighting to clear their names.

Students at the university of Sussex gave a strong show of support for fellow student Zenon at an emergency members meeting of the students union last week. The meeting was called in order to pass a motion of solidarity with Zenon Mitchell Kotsakis, a student at Sussex who has been sentenced to 15 months for taking part in the demonstration outside Millbank Tower last year.

Over 200 students attended the meeting and voted through the following motion with only two abstentions and no votes against:

“Thousands have been arrested for taking part in student demonstrations since last year. Our fellow student, Zenon Mitchell Kotsakis was recently sentenced to 15 months in prison on charges of ‘violent disorder’. We demand his immediate release and stand in solidarity with Zenon and all other students facing similar charges and sentences.”
An amendment was also passed which commits the students union to doing all it can to ensure Zenon can resume his studies at Sussex under the same conditions as when his degree began. 700 people, including many members of staff, have also signed a petition calling for Zenons release and an end to political sentencing.